Initiation and propagation of action potentials in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron dendrites

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are the final output neurons in a complex neuronal network that regulates fertility. The morphology of GnRH neuron dendrites is very different to other central neurons in that they are very long, thin, and unbranched. To study the function of these dendrites, we have used Na(+) and Ca(2+) imaging in combination with dual soma and dendrite electrical recordings in brain slices from GnRH-GFP mice. Here, we show that GnRH neurons actively propagate Na(+) spikes throughout their dendrites. Multisite dendritic recordings confirmed that these spikes were observed in one of the dendrites before the soma in the great majority of neurons tested. Na(+) imaging experiments revealed that the initial 150 μm of dendrite has a higher density of functional Na(+) channels than more distal regions, suggesting that this region of dendrite is highly excitable and may be the site of spike initiation. Finally, we show that the depolarization from dendritic spikes opens voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels giving rise to dendritic Ca(2+) transients. Together, these findings suggest that the proximal dendrites of GnRH neurons are highly excitable and are likely to be the site of action potential initiation in these neurons.